Did you use the non-religious officiant? Did he just have something he had prepared or did you give him a script? My WC said she didn't have a copy of what he normally says so it kinda makes me nervous to just show up that day and not now what is going to be said (I'm a planner haha). Did you write your own vows?

Did you use the non-religious officiant? Did he just have something he had prepared or did you give him a script? My WC said she didn't have a copy of what he normally says so it kinda makes me nervous to just show up that day and not now what is going to be said (I'm a planner haha). Did you write your own vows?

thanks!

We did use him and thought he was great, spoke english very well and he was a happy guy... I can't say exactly what he said because it went by so fast and we don't have our video yet but I do know that he read parts of the Hands poem which I put below. We had actually asked my husbands mom to read the poem so when he read it we were like OH CRAP and she got the hint and never got up for her speech. And when the minister was done he said to us quietly "you have a speech" we just said no back and he moved on. He DID do the thing everyone talks about where he tells you to say something to your spouse - we just said "I love you" to one another as we knew this was coming and agreed to say something teensy and no big speeches.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will hold you in times of fear or grief, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes - tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will hold your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

I do know he didn't say the children part because we aren't planning on having children and had axed that from the husband's moms speech and so I was relieved when he didn't say it either

Something I just noticed on Gilmana's review (fantastic review, by the way) regarding photographers. I am not sure if I put this on my review but a HUGE suggestion is to ignore and give no information to the Smile Market people who call you, they called our room a day or two before the wedding and were trying to ask all these questions about our wedding and when it was and where our photographer was staying and who it was. I told my husband to tell them nothing and he ended up hanging up on them and we never heard from them again.

We did use him and thought he was great, spoke english very well and he was a happy guy... I can't say exactly what he said because it went by so fast and we don't have our video yet but I do know that he read parts of the Hands poem which I put below. We had actually asked my husbands mom to read the poem so when he read it we were like OH CRAP and she got the hint and never got up for her speech. And when the minister was done he said to us quietly "you have a speech" we just said no back and he moved on. He DID do the thing everyone talks about where he tells you to say something to your spouse - we just said "I love you" to one another as we knew this was coming and agreed to say something teensy and no big speeches.

"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years. These are the hands that will hold you in times of fear or grief, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes - tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will hold your children in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

I do know he didn't say the children part because we aren't planning on having children and had axed that from the husband's moms speech and so I was relieved when he didn't say it either

Thank you! You have been so much help! Did you speak with the officiant at all before the ceremony started or do you relay messages through the WC?

I love the Hands poem! I guess since we are writing our own short vows that will be a good time when he asks us to say something

Something I just noticed on Gilmana's review (fantastic review, by the way) regarding photographers. I am not sure if I put this on my review but a HUGE suggestion is to ignore and give no information to the Smile Market people who call you, they called our room a day or two before the wedding and were trying to ask all these questions about our wedding and when it was and where our photographer was staying and who it was. I told my husband to tell them nothing and he ended up hanging up on them and we never heard from them again.

Are they calling to get the outside photographer fee from you? I know that you and a lot of other brides didn't pay the fee and paid for a room for them instead so I am wondering if that's why they are calling (or for you to book them instead) and if they wont bother me if I am paying the fee because it is cheaper than the minimum 3 nights required during the time of our wedding...

Something I just noticed on Gilmana's review (fantastic review, by the way) regarding photographers. I am not sure if I put this on my review but a HUGE suggestion is to ignore and give no information to the Smile Market people who call you, they called our room a day or two before the wedding and were trying to ask all these questions about our wedding and when it was and where our photographer was staying and who it was. I told my husband to tell them nothing and he ended up hanging up on them and we never heard from them again.

Completely agree... they are a huge pain! Do not tell them anything about your photographers. The person that needs to know about the photographers (in order to let them in the front gate) is the WC - Smile Market does not have any business in knowing who your photographer is. Every time we called, we just kept putting them off. I think my husband one time told them it was our friend and he hadn't arrived yet. BTW - at this point, you are stressed enough to be bothered by these people, so I also suggest having your fiance handle it.

Are they calling to get the outside photographer fee from you? I know that you and a lot of other brides didn't pay the fee and paid for a room for them instead so I am wondering if that's why they are calling (or for you to book them instead) and if they wont bother me if I am paying the fee because it is cheaper than the minimum 3 nights required during the time of our wedding...

Good to know to just ignore them though if they do bother us! haah

We did not pay for 2 nights for our photographer because it ended up being more than $500 (we had 2 photographers and there was an event there so I guess prices were higher than normal?)... so we said we'd pay the fee. Our WC told us to tell smile market that the photographer and videographer were from the same group so we wouldn't have to pay $1000. I believe we could have gotten out of it, if we completely ignored Smile Market. The only thing I can think of - is if they stopped us at the front desk as we were checking out. Barcelo really should separate themselves from that group.

Hi ladies, have any of you been married in July? We have a July date and I'm not sure about how hot it will be. We have been to this resort in July twice in the past but I don't remember how hot it was at night. I'm trying to decide if it would be ok to have our reception on the beach. I really don't want to have it in the banquet room when we will be at such a beautiful beach! Thoughts??

Hi to everyone, I 'll like to offer our services for all the brides are interested in photography, I'm Mike from Mexican wedding photos, we're in these forum too, we're vendors from several resorts, these are some examples of my work, you can also check out my facebook and web page also the reviews here on bestdestination wedding, have a great day bye =)